Beloved Lutheran hymnals have a long history, dating all the way back to 1524. This year in 2024, we are celebrating 500 years of Lutheran hymnals. This episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast features returning guest Peter Reske, Senior Editor of Music and Worship at Concordia Publishing House. Peter's takes listeners on a trip back in time to 1524 to teach us a little bit about the earliest Lutheran hymnals, how they came about, some of the stories that surround their creation, and how they were used in the congregations of the time.

Shop all the editions of the Lutheran Service Book by visiting cph.org.

Show Notes

Listen to the episode now as guest Peter Reske and host Elizabeth Pittman discuss the history of Lutheran hymnals, the connection between Scripture and the hymnody, Martin Luther’s work, how Lutheran hymns have developed throughout history, and more.

About the Guest

Peter C. Reske, senior editor of music/worship at Concordia Publishing House, holds degrees in English literature and historical musicology from Marquette University and Pennsylvania State University. He was the editor of the Lutheran Service Book and its attendant resources.

In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, author Martha Van Buskirk joins host Elizabeth Pittman to talk about her new book Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Grace: God's Purpose in Your Every Day. During the conversation, Martha shares how you can make a difference in your very own family, neighborhood, and community through small but Spirit-led acts.

Pre-order the book on cph.org. Available November 7!

Show Notes
Can ordinary lives be extraordinary? In this episode, writer, speaker, and author Martha Van Buskirk passionately and graciously shares how you can make a difference in your everyday life.

During the episode, Martha talks about her new book looks into how when we seek to glorify and serve God through our "small" everyday actions, we can make a big impact in others' lives—no matter who we are, where we live, or where God takes us. She also talks about how she first started writing the book, what it means to be spiritually anchored, how we can shine the light throughout the holiday season and the many gatherings that come with it, and more.

Questions

• Talk about how the COVID-19 pandemic got you started thinking about writing this book, and how you think others may have related to how you were feeling at the time.
• How have you seen or witnessed actions of other people that turned out to be extraordinary?
• You mentioned being “spiritually anchored” in the book. Talk about what that means and how we can be sure we are spiritually anchored.
• How can we make sure to reserve time for our routines?
• What advice do you have for someone who is struggling and how do you remind them where they’re anchored during those times?
• For many of our listeners, one of the areas we serve is in the local congregation. When it comes to how we are helping in our local congregation, why should kindness be kept at the center of our interactions?
• What would you have wanted younger Martha of 20 years ago to know or resonate with from this book?
• What would you say to someone who has tried to help someone and has been burned in the past?
• Families will be gathering again soon during the holiday season. It can be easy to put our guards down and snap at somebody at these gatherings. How can we be intentional during these events and make sure we are shining a light?
• Leave our listeners with an action challenge with how they can find their purpose in their every day.

About the Guest

Martha Van Buskirk is a professional writer, encouraging speaker, and new author living in Houston. She and her husband, Raymond, are proud parents of three and doting grandparents. Martha loves Jesus, her family, reading, strong coffee, abstract art, long walks, and the mountains. She holds a BA in journalism from Valparaiso University and certification in nonprofit leadership from Rice University.

Brian Davies joins host Elizabeth Pittman on this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast to preview his new book, Captivating Conversations: How Christians Can Reclaim the Lost Art of Listening. During the episode, Brian talks about how we can use Jesus as our model for being good listeners and asking good questions as Christians in today's world.

Pre-order the book at cph.org/listen. Available October 22.

Show Notes
Are you a good listener? Many people believe that they are but, when asked if they believe others are good listeners, the answer is usually no. Perhaps we all can learn to be better listeners. And there's no better model than Jesus Christ Himself.

Listen to the episode now as Brian Davies talks about his new book where he takes readers on a journey of sitting back, opening your heart, and learning how to truly hear what others are saying. Brian discusses what it really means to be a good listener, how we can bring the Gospel to others by learning to really hear what they are saying, and more.

About the Guest
Brian Davies serves as pastor of Lord of Glory Lutheran Church in Grayslake, Illinois, and as chaplain for the Grayslake Fire Department. Rev. Davies graduated from Concordia River Forest (now Concordia Chicago) in 2002, studying communications and biblical languages, and then went on to earn his master of divinity at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He and his wife, Beth, have three children: Kate, Megan, and Luke.

Concern for the mental health of young people has exponentially increased in recent years. How can Christian schools help their students? In this episode, Dr. Belinda Karge and Dr. Bratton join host Elizabeth Pittman to answer this question and dive into the curriculum they co-authored along with Dr. Jeremiah Stokes, Resilient Minds: Christ-Centered Mental Health Curriculum.

Learn more about the curriculum for 5th-8th grade students at cph.org/resilientminds.

Show Notes
Listen to the episode now as Belinda and Kara discuss their biblical, research-based curriculum on mental health, Resilient Minds: Christ-Centered Mental Health Curriculum.

Resilient Minds is now available for grades 5 to 8. Both age groups have a designated student book and teacher guide. The age groups cover the same topics, but lessons are differentiated to fit the needs of students based on their age level.

Curriculum for high school students is set to release in May 2025.

About the Guests
Dr. Belinda Karge is professor of doctoral programs and the chair of EdD Special Education Leadership at Concordia University Irvine.
Dr. Kara Bratton is an assistant professor in the school of education in the EdD program at Concordia University Irvine.

What makes a church good? Have you ever thought about that? In his new book, Will the Real Church Please Stand Up, author Matthew Richard shows us what makes a church great is an unwavering focus on Christ. Pastor Richard joins this episode to discuss the new book with host Elizabeth Pittman.

Find out more and pre-order the book at cph.org/realchurch. Available to order starting October 8.

Show Notes
Come join the Campbells as they test out churches in their brand-new town of Midway. They're looking to see which one fits their family and faith the best. Each church offers something different such as post-church refreshments, use of technology, outreach programs, or childcare. Even with all of these perks, do these churches still count as "good" or are they missing something pivotal to their worship services?

Author Matthew Richard joins the podcast to talk about his new book and how he helps readers discover eight different churches, and how to be able to see what a good church has: Christ at the very center. Pastor Richard also discusses his first book in the series, Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?, who he came to write the second book, his own experiences as a pastor, and more.

Questions

• What led you to book number two?
• Tell us how you created the Campbell family.
• What should be looking for to identify the unity and purpose in a church?
• Tell us about the distinction between friendship and biblical fellowship, and why it’s important in a congregation.
• Tell us about the architecture of a church and what it can tell us about the unity and purpose of a church.
• You draw the distinction between the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. Tell us how churches may get that misplaced.
• Talk about one of your example churches and how they are too focused on their status as people in the church. What happens when we put too much focus on social status in the church?
• Tell us why the three estates are important for the church and how you use Peace as an example.
• Trinity takes readers to the first church in the book that is very denomination focused. What are the good and bad aspects of denomination distinctions and at what point does fidelity to the denomination become problematic?
• What does the real church stand for and how do we recognize it?
• What would you say to someone who starts to look around their own church and are concerned their focus has strayed from Jesus? What do you suggest they do?
• What advice do you have for the pastor who is trying to ensure his congregation is staying focused on the true unity and purpose of the church?
• How can groups who work through this book together maintain a sense of fellowship as they discuss problems their own church may be facing?

About the Guest
Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard is the pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minot, North Dakota. He is married to Serenity, and they have three children. Besides being a busy dad, he enjoys amateur carpentry work and knife collecting, as well as being a whisky and Taekwondo enthusiast.

In this episode, Dr. John Maxfield joins host Elizabeth Pittman to discuss his deep dive into the Lutheran Reformation from a specific town’s perspective in his new book, Becoming Lutheran: The Community of Brunswick from Evangelical Reform to Lutheran Culture. The book traces the influences and events that shaped one community as its people journeyed from evangelical reform to Lutheran culture.

Find out more and get the book at cph.org.

Show Notes
Have you ever wondered what the Lutheran Reformation looked like in a
specific locality?

Rev. Dr. John A. Maxfield reveals this in his new book by detailing the intellectual, personal, social, and political influences and events that shaped the Lower-Saxon town of Brunswick on its journey from evangelical reform to Lutheran culture. Listen to the episode now as Dr. Maxfield explores how he began writing this historical account, why he chose the community of Brunswick as the focal point, overall political developments and themes, and what lessons we today can take away from the people of Brunswick.

Questions

• Tell us how this book came about.
• Why Brunswick/Braunschweig?
• What connections exist between this town and the "major actors" in the Reformation?
• In what ways did the town embrace reformation theology, and how did they put their own "stamp" on things?
• In the overall timeline, where does the Church Order fall in terms of whole communities choosing to live as Evangelicals/Lutherans?
• What are the connections to the later developments politically concerning the Smalcald War, the princes' revolt, and the Magdeburg Confession?
• Looking "down the road"—describe the role Brunswick/Braunschweig played for the eventual "unification" around the Formula of Concord?
• What lessons can we as Lutherans today take from the experiences of Brunswick?

About the Guest
John A. Maxfield is a professor of history and religious studies at Concordia University of Edmonton in Alberta, Canada. In addition to numerous articles and book chapters, he edited Defending Luther’s Reformation (CPH, 2017) and wrote Luther’s Lectures on Genesis and the Formation of Evangelical Identity (Truman State University Press, 2008). He and his wife, Jennifer, have four adult children.

In this episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast, author Deb Burma returns as guest to talk with host Elizabeth Pittman about her newest devotional book, Immeasurably More: 100 Devotions on God's Extravagant Grace. Immeasurably More features 100 devotions with journaling and prayer prompts to reveal God's immeasurable grace, love, power, provision, and more.

Pre-order Deb’s newest book at cph.org/immeasurablymore. Available on September 24!

Show Notes
In Ephesians 3:20, Paul tells us that God can do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (NIV).
Listen now as Deb Burma talks about her new devotional book that beautifully reveals what this verse means in her relational, conversational, richly scriptural words written for you.

Across 100 devotions with journaling and prayer prompts, readers—individually or with their sisters in Christ—will discover God‘s immeasurable grace and so much more.

Get Deb’s book on cph.org and Amazon!

About the Guest
Deb Burma is a sought-after speaker for women’s conferences, retreats, and ministry events. Her assortment of books and devotionals include best-selling Bible studies, JOY: A Study of Philippians and Living a Chocolate Life, along with Beautiful Feet, Stepping Out, and more. Deb is a follower of Jesus, a pastor’s wife, and a mom. She’s a blogger, a women’s ministry leader, and a self-proclaimed coffee/chocolate connoisseur. Above all, she is a grace-filled child of God.

Listen to the latest episode of The Concordia Publishing House Podcast as Dr. Brian German joins as guest to talk about the newest edition in the Concordia Commentary, Haggai and Malachi, which he authored. In the newest volume Dr. German details literary themes, historical insights, and New Testament connections found in the books of Haggai and Malachi.

Get the newest volume in the series at cph.org.

Show Notes
In this new episode, Dr. German joins host Elizabeth Pittman to discuss the Biblical books of Haggai and Malachi. In his new Concordia Commentary volume covering these books, readers will explore a rigorous analysis of Haggai's exhortation to rebuild the temple and Malachi's concern with the practices therein—both revealing the standard to which God calls His church.

Questions

• What special challenges did God's people face in this time period after the return from exile in Babylon?
• How did each of these prophets address those challenges?
• How long was the time interval between Haggai and Malachi?
• What particular events did Haggai have to address? How did he address them?
• How did the prophet Zechariah's work overlap with that of Haggai?
• What things had changed by the time of Malachi, and what did he have to address?
• How did each prophet present the promise of the Messiah?
• What were some of the pressures the people of Judah would experience during the intertestamental period - those 400 years between the Old and New Testaments?
• How did Haggai and Malachi prepare the people for these pressures?
  

About the Guest
Brian German is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Theology at Concordia University Wisconsin and director of the Concordia Bible Institute.